Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

[GTI+MTB]

I recently purchased a 2005 Bayliner 185 with the Mercury 3.0 and Alpha one Gen 2 drive. Since the impeller had never been serviced I decided to replace it. I followed the service instructions carefully, making certain to turn the driveshaft clockwise while pushing the stainless steel housing over the impeller.

After reassembly, I hook the muffs to the drive and start the engine. I notice right away that there is no discharge water. After running for a while I notice a burning rubber smell and kill the engine. I knew I fried the impeller.

I dissasembled the drive again to look at the impeller. There are little pieces of rubber in the pump housing and one of the impeller blades is kinked like it was spinning the wrong way.

What is going on? Why won't the pump pull through water?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

If the impeller was in fact installed correctly, one can only guess. Either the muffs were not flowing or maybe the intake screens (or the cavity behind them) is filled with debris. Or maybe there are left over impeller parts from a previous bad impeller.

Also check the drive and engine plumbing. If it is blocked you will not get water in if it has no where to go.

One MUST be sure there are NO impeller parts anywhere in the system when replacing one.

One of the big places that catch them is the heat exchanger. Pull the intake hose off and check.

 

[GTI+MTB]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

If I remove the lower drive unit and then install the muffs, I should see water flowing out of the water pump if it the intake is clear, right?

Will these waterpumps prime themselves with the muffs on?

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

PUT THE BOAT IN THE WATER.Remove the water intake hose at the thermostat housing,start the engine and see if it pumps.No?Could be a missalighed water tube missing key on impeller shaft,poor sealing,bad impeller or housing.Get a Mercury service manuel!

 

[GTI+MTB]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Unfortunately, I don't live on a lake so I only have the muffs for testing. I have the service manual and followed it explicitly. It seemed straight forward enough. I have taken it apart again and installed the old impeller which was in good condition with the same results.

After reading through this forum, I think the cause of the one impeller blade bent the wrong way may have been due to water pressure forcing it the wrong way. Should discharge water come from the transom area soon after starting or does the thermostat have to open first?

Be gentle. I've only been a boat owner for a week! There's a lot to learn.

 

[Don S]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Did you put new gaskets on the housing and plate? If not, you will get an air leak and it won't pull water up from the muffs.
Do you have the water on full? Not enough water will and loose muffs will also let too much air in.

 

[GTI+MTB]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Yeah, I purchased the impeller kit with the gaskets and seals. I don't think any water is getting into the drive. The boat was running fine the first time I took it out last week. This was supposed to be preventative maintenance.

When the pump is working properly, should water come out of the transom or propeller soon after the engine is started?

 

[Intune]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

I hear ya! i think they answer the same question so many times that they get a bit crabby but there is great info so I bear with it.

I've been a boat owner for over 30 years and I changed my own spark plugs for the first time last week. I can hear some of these guys yawning right now. If they fall asleep they'll still change 'em faster than me AND replace a piston at the same time! Oh well...

I have the exact same drive sitting on the dining room table to replace an impeller that has been in for about five years with nary a problem but I LEARNED that I'm supposed to change it. I read the instructions 2-3-4 times to make sure I'm doing it exactly right but I really don't know what the heck I'm doing. This will be my first time seeing an impeller where it actually lives when it's out of the plastic bag...

Then I read your post with my before-I-open-waterpump-cup-of-coffee and

Thanks...

Now I'm scared to death that I'm gonna mess something up.

I'll be watching the responses. Good luck with it!

 

[GTI+MTB]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Don't let this scare you. The process is relatively easy if your a DIY'er. I've become very good at removing the lower drive! From here it's a process of elimination. I guess this is how you gain experience.

I wanted to change this impeller so I did not get stuck out on the water...now I'm stuck in my driveway!

I hope someone chimes in to let me know how soon I'm supposed to see discharge water from the transom and propeller.

 

[Don S]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

When the pump is working properly, should water come out of the transom or propeller soon after the engine is started?

Both, there are 2 idle relief ports built into the transom, water usually comes out of them first, any that is left over comes out the prop.

You still have to have enough water flow from your hose to get the water up to the pump.

 

[GTI+MTB]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Thanks for the quick response. If the drive and are relatively dry, how long before I see discharge water?

 

[Don S]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Usually 15 seconds or less.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

I have the exact same drive sitting on the dining room table to replace an impeller

Not married are you?


To the original poster - you should see water within a couple of seconds.

 

[GTI+MTB]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Thanks, I'm heading to the garage now...again. Oddily, I purchased this boat to spend more time with my family...so far it's doing the exact opposite!

By the way, I love your quote, so true.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Better stuck in the driveway than out on the lake don't you think? Could your muffs be clogged somehow? I am sure you will get it and once you find the problem, I am sure it'll bever happen again cuase you'll know what to look out for. Did you use aftermarket or Quicksilver parts? I am soon to do mine for the first time as PM too, so reading others experiences makes me feel better prepared to tackle it. Good luck and be sure to post back the resolution.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

I think the cause of the one impeller blade bent the wrong way may have been due to water pressure forcing it the wrong way.

Not going to happen.

Don't be afraid of too much water pressure. Any excess will simply pour out the side of the muffs. TOO LITTLE however, CAN cause a problem.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

A couple other thoughts...

Did you lube the impeller when you installed it? Dish soap works great.

Also, I would double check that you are turning the driveshaft clockwise, as I understand the Gen II impellers do not flip around the correct way if installed incorrectly.

 

[Intune]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Not married are you?


To the original poster - you should see water within a couple of seconds.

20 years in May. Already heard about it. [BOLD]I[/BOLD] thought the newspaper & old towels made it O.K. I thought wrong...:redface:

G+M, did you do this part during reassembly?
Position the water pump body over the drive shaft and water pump locating pins. Rotate the drive shaft in a clockwise direction, while pushing down on the water pump body to ease the water pump over the impeller blades.

Didn't know the dishsoap trick, Thanks!

Is there any way for him to test the waterpump/impeller before he reattaches lower to boat?

 

[GTI+MTB]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

I think I may have found the problem. Another $50.00 kit should answer the riddle. Gotta go pick it up.

Yes, I heard about the dishsoap as a lubricant for the impeller from the dealer I bought the kit from. Worked well. The soap will rinse off once the impeller sees water (a clue).

Stay tuned. I'll chime in once its back together later this afternoon. I'm feeling like an idiot at the moment.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Impeller replaced, now no water pumped!

Not married are you?

I'm feeling like an idiot at the moment.

Um, Don't.......we've all been there!!